Great Florist Type Hydrangeas Ready For Bloom

Now is the time to remove any dead wood in your Hydrangeas.

Hydrangea with dead stems removed and ready for bloom

Remember, we said if you have the florist type hydrangeas not to remove the old stems that look like sticks because you will cut off this years bloom. Well, if there is no foliage on those stems by now, I would declare them officially dead and remove them at the base of the stem. Then, when yours do bloom, they will be show stoppers in your garden.

Now, if yours bloom pink and they were supposed to be blue or vise versa, it is the soil that is causing the hydrangea flower color to change. If yours are pink and you want blue ones next year, usually an application of aluminum sulfate will do the trick. Sprinkle a cup under the plant, and that should work. This is the most common color problem in our area. With most of the named selections of this type of hydrangea, the colors are stable, and you do not have to worry.

John Floyd has been gardening--and learning about Birmingham area gardening--for more than 30 years. In addition to his day-to-day experience, John has degrees in horticulture from Auburn and Clemson Universities and was Editor-in-Chief of Southern Living.